This might be the most challenging time for Choco Mucho as it tries to make things work in the PVL On Tour without its most lethal weapon.

Sisi Rondina, formerly the Flying Titan’s skipper, answered once more when Alas Pilipinas called, returning to her roots this time and representing the flag in beach volleyball with Creamline ace Bernadeth Pons.

And with personnel changes and absences, the Flying Titans will be leaning on new team captain Des Cheng to guide them in navigating these uncharted waters.

“I am happy that I’ll be the one to represent Choco Mucho in a way but also I don’t take it as a privilege, rather a big responsibility,” Cheng said in Filipino. “The coaches and management told me to just take it day-by-day and don’t pressure myself.”

“I don’t have to carry everything but my teammates are there to help me lead the team,” she added.

Choco Mucho will still have Isa Molde, Dindin Santiago-Manabat and Royse Tubino to rely on for offense. It will also be suiting up its rookies in the preseason showcase, including opposite hitter Ayesha Juegos and middle blocker Jen Villegas, both from Adamson.

In a stunning move in the Rookie Draft earlier this month, the Flying Titans also picked Alas Pilipinas playmaker Tia Andaya, who will also be with Mars Alba for the national team bound for VTV Cup in Vietnam, and thus will not be able to play in the On Tour.

“[The rookies] are happy to be with Choco Mucho. You can see that even with our training held early, they are excited to learn since they are still young and so energetic,” Cheng said.

“They are affecting us positively inside the court or in the training,” she added.

The playmaking duties will be handled by fan favorite Deanna Wong and Jem Ferrer when the Titans debut in the On Tour against Galeries Tower on Saturday at 4 p.m. in Batangas City.

Former captain Maddie Madayag will also be returning for the crowd-darlings after her stint in Japan but her homecoming will have to wait as she also serves national team duties.

“We support [our teammates in Alas] even though it’s kinda hard for us because we might have the least players,” Cheng said. “We are really trying hard to transition and hold a scrimmage with the players left.”